Reclining article of furniture



Dec. 25, 1951 A. LORENZ RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE e Sheets-Shet Filed Jan. 31, 1946 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1951 I A. LORENZ 2,579,502

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Jan. 31, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ ms ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1951 A. LORENZ 2,579,502

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Jan. 31', 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG."

( FIG. l2

INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ BYW HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 31, 1946 INVENTOR ANTON- LORENZ IS ATTORN? Dec. 25, 1951 LoRENz' RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE I 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 31, 1946 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ BY H S ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1951 LQRENZ 2,579,502

I RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Jan. 31, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG.I9

INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 25, 1951 UNITED STAT 2,579,502 RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Anton Lorenz, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application January 31, 1946, Serial No. 644,451

16 Claims. (Cl. 155-105) The present invention relates to articles of furniture, and more particularly to a reclining article of furniture, wherein the seat and the back-rest are swingably mounted on a support.

An object of the present invention is to provide an article of furniture of above described type with a mechanism, simple in construction, for controlling the movements of the seat and backrest independence on each other.

Another object of the present invention is to improve on the construction of articles of furniture of above described type as now ordinarily made.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination' of various devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being described in the specification and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein: a

Fig; I is a side elevational view of a reclining chair accordin to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken online 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3' isa sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a different embodiment oi a controlling member which may be substitutedfor the controlling member of the Fig. 6,.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 9'-is a view of a controlling member which may be substituted for the controlling member ofthereclining chair shown in Fig. 8,

Fig. 1-0 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of" the side wall being broken away,

Fig; 11 is aperspective' view of the support of the reclining chair shown in Fig. 10, the controlling unit of said chair'being' shown mounted in thesupport,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view illustrating. a safety device for holding the controlling unit of the chair shown in Fig. 10 in its position,

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a difierentembodiment of a controlling unit which may bev substituted for the controlling unit shown in. Fig. 11,

Fig. 14; is a side elevational view of a different embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of the side wall being broken away,

Fig. 15 is a side elevational-view'of stillanother embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention, 7

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of afurther embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. l? is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of the side wallbeing broken away,

Fig. 1.8 is a perspective view of the controllin unit of'the chair: shown in Fig. 17,

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a difierent embodimentof a controlling unit which may be substituted for the controlling unit of the chair shown in Fig. 17.,

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a controlling unit, which may be substituted for the controlling unit of the chair shown in Fig. 17,

Fig. 21 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of the sidewall being broken away,

Fig. 22 is a. view of a detail of the chair shown in Fig. 16, taken along line 22-22 of Fig. 16,-

Fig. 23 is a side elevational view of a different embodiment of a reclining chair according to the inventiom Fig. 24 is a fragmentary view of the frontportion of the chair shown in Fig. 23, in an enlarged scale,

Fig. 25 is a sectional view'taken' on line 25-'25 of Fig. 24, and

Fig. 26 isa fragmentary side elevationalview of the front portion of a chair illustrating a difierent' control of the leg-rest,

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, 24 generally indicates the support of a reclining chair. Said support 24% has a lug 26 on each side of the chair. The lower end of a back-rest 28 and the. rear end. of a seat 3 are pivoted to said lugs 26 at 32.

A connecting link as representing an arm-rest is arranged on each side of the chair above the plane of the seat 36. The rear end of each connecting link 34 is pivoted to an intermediate point of the back-rest 28 at 36. Furthermore, a controlling member generally indicated by 38 is arranged on each side of the chair. Said controlling members 33 are positively connected with a transverse rod 43 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings of the support 24 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 32 between the back-rest 28 and the support 24. Each controlling member 38 comprises a controlling link 42 and a controlling arm 44 positively connected with each other, so that the controlling link 42 and the controlling arm perform simultaneous movements. According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said controlling link 42 and controlling arm 44 are formed by an integral piece of material, however, if desired, the controlling link 42 and the controlling arm 44 could be made of two separate members rigidly connected with each other by suitable means, for example screws, at the lower end of the controlling link 42 adjacent the swingable mounting thereof in the support. The upper end of each controlling link 42 is pivoted to the connecting link 34 at 46. The controlling arm 44 is offset and has at its free end a controlling or abutting surface in the shape of a controlling cam 48 for shiftable and loose engagement with a cooperating abutting surface at the lower side of the seat 30.

When the seat 30 is in the sitting position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, the seat rests on the upper edge of the support 24, which, thus, forms a limiting means for limiting the sitting position of the seat.

When the occupant of the chair leans the weight of his body against the back-rest 28, he may swing the back-rest about its pivot 32 into a reclined position, for example into the extreme reclined position 28' shown in dash and dot lines, which is limited by an abutment of the back-rest against the stop 50 mounted on the support 24. During such a swinging movement of the backrest 28, the controlling members 38 connected with the back-rest through the connecting links 34 are swung about their pivot 43 into the position 38, whereby the seat 38 slidably engaged with the controlling arms 44 of said controlling members 38 is lifted into the position 30'. On the other hand, if the occupant of the chair Wishes to return from the reclined position into the sitting position and brings the weight of his body to act on the seat 33, the latter will return from the reclined position 38 into the sitting position 30, whereby the back-rest is returned from the position 28 into the position 28 through the mechanism including the swingable controlling 'members 38 and the connecting links 34. Thus,

as will be readily understood, the movements of the back-rest and the seat are controlled in dependence on each other.

The back-rest and the seat may be held in any desired position, for example in above described J extreme reclined position 28', 33, or in any other intermediate reclined position by means of a looking device generally indicated by 52 and arranged on a pivot 36 connecting a connecting link 34 with the back-rest 28. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, said locking device 52 comprises a handle 54 screwed on the threaded end of the pivot 33. Said pivot 36 has a head 56 resting against the surface of the back-rest 28. A square portion 58 of the pivot 33 is inserted into a corresponding square aperture of the back-rest 28, whereby the pivot 36 is prevented from rotation. When the user of the chair loosens the locking handle 54, the

surface of the hub 68 of said handle is disengaged from the surface of the connecting link 34, so that the movable members of the chair may be freely moved from one position into another one. When the locking handle 54 is tightened, the surface or" the hub of the handle is pressed against the connecting link 34, whereby the latter is pressed against the back-rest 28 engaged with the head 56 of the pivot 33, so that the members of the chair are held in their position. Of course, any other type of locking device may be used instead of said locking device 52, if desired.

As mentioned above, the abutting surface of the controlling cam 43 is in loose engagement with a cooperating abutting surface of the seat 30. When the handle 54 of the locking device 52 is loosened, and the user of the chair gets up from the chair by holding on to the arm-rests 34, the mechanism comprising the back-rest 28, the connecting links 34, and the controlling members 38 could collapse. In order to prevent said mechanism from collapsing in a forward direction, a stop 62 is arranged on the controlling link 42 of the controlling member 38 for abutting engagement with the connecting link 34 when the seat 33 is in the sitting position. Said stop preventing a collapsing of said mechanism permits a rearward movement of the movable members of the chair into a reclined position.

The controlling member 38 must not necessarily be in the shape shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4, for example, illustrates a different embodiment of such a controlling member which could be used in the chair shown in Figs. 1 and 2 instead of the controlling member 38. According to Fig. 4 the controlling member 38a is in the shape of a plate having a bore 48a for a pivotal connection with the connecting link and having bore 48a for connection with the transverse rod. Furthermore, a controlling element constituting an abutting surface 48a for slidable engagement with a cooperating abutting surface of the seat is integral or rigidly connected with said controlling plate 38a.

Fig. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a controlling member 381) which could be used in the chair shown in Figs. 1 and 2 instead of the controlling member 38. Said controlling member 3812 being in the shape of an inverted V has a bore 46?) for pivotal connection with the connecting link and a bore 40b for connection with the transverse rod. Moreover, said controlling member 38b is provided with a controlling or abutting surface 481) for slidable engagement with the lower surface of the seat. The controlling member 33?) may also be considered as being composed of a controlling link 42b and a controlling arm 4417, one end of which is rigidly connected with the upper end of said controlling link 42!) adjacent the pivotal connection thereof with the connecting link. The controlling member 38b shown in Fig. 5 may be obtained, for example, by cutting a V-shaped recess into a plate of the shape shown in Fig. 4. The lower edge of such a plate is indicated by dash lines in Fig. 5.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the back-rest I28 and the seat I30 are again coaXially swingably mounted at the point I32 of the support I24. The rear end of each connecting link I34 is pivoted to the back-rest I28 at I36. The front end of each connecting link I34 is pivoted to the controlling member I38 at I46. Each controlling member I38 comprises a controlling link gee-tot I42 rigidly connected at its lower portion with a transverse rod I40 for swingable mounting 'on the support I24 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection I32 between the back-rest I28 and the support I24. One end of a controlling arm I44 is rigidly connected with an intermediate point of the controlling link I42. Said controlling. arm I44 is in the sameplane as the controlling link I42. A shaft I64 mounted at the free end of the controlling arm I44 projects'therefrom towards the center of the chair and carries a roller I63. Said rollerIBB- is'rotatably and axially immovably arranged on said shaft I64. The controlling or abutting-surface of the controlling member I38 is constituted by the circumferential surface ofthe roller I66, being in. loose engagement with a cooperating abutting surface of the lower'surface of the seat I30. v

When the back-rest I28 is swung about the pivot I32 into a, reclined position, the controlling member I38 connected with the back-rest through the connecting link I34 is rocked about the pivot I40; whereby the roller I66 rolling along the lower surface of the seat" I33 lifts the latter into a reclined position.

Thesitting position of the seat I3!) is limited by the upper-edge of the support I24, and the reclined position of the movable members of the chair is limited by-thestop Mil-mounted on the support. The movable members of thechair may beheld in any desired position by means of the locking device I52.

A stop I62 mounted on the support I24 for abutting engagement with the controlling link t42'when the seat is in the sitting position preventsthe mechanism I28, I34, [3-3 for collapsing.

According to the embodiment of a rec-lining chair shown in Fig. 8 the back-rest 228 and seat 230 are pivoted to the support 224 at 232. The rear end of each connecting link 234 is pivoted tothe back-rest223 at 2 36, thefront end of each connecting link 234 is pivoted to a controlling member 238 at 246. Each of said controlling members 238 is swingably mounted on the sup- -port224- at 2-40. Each of said controlling members 238 comprises a controlling link 242 and an arm 244 rigidly connected. with each other. Said arm-244 is in the shape of a telescopic memher having a hollow portion 243 slidably receiving a rod 245. The rod 245 maybe held in any predetermined position by means of a set screw 241. The-rod Z45 carries, a roller 263 in loose engage,- ment with the lower surface. of the; seat 230.

Again the movements of the. back-rest 228 and the seat 230 are controlled in dependence on each other by means of the mechanism 234,, 238. The movable members of the chair may be held many desired position by meansof the locking device A bracket 2'10 mounted on the lower surface of the seat 230- and in engagement with the roller- 266 prevents a collapsing of the mechanism 228, 234; 238when the seat 230. is in the sitting position. Furthermore, the left-hand portion2H' of said bracket 213 serves to limit the extreme reclined position shown in dash and dot lines by engagement withthe roller 266.

Above described telescopic arm 244, permits a variation and adjustment of the distances between the'pivots 24D and 246 and the roller 266 for varying and adjusting the initial angle between the back-rest 228 and seat 230.

Fig. 9 illustrates a different embodiment of a controlling member 238a which could be used in -the chairshown in Fig. 8. instead of. the control ling member 238. Accordingto Fig. 9, the tele'-' scopiccontrolling arm 2440 is swingably mounted on the controlling link 2420 at 212a. The telescopic controllingarm' 2440 including the red 2450 carryingthe roller 266c'may be held at a predetermined position relative to the controlling link 2420 bymeans of a locking device generally indicated by 2l4c. Said locking device 2'i4c comprises a member 216;: swingably mounted on the controlling arm 2440 at 2380 and having a slot 2800. A bolt 2820 mounted on the controlling link 2420 is slid'ably engaged with said slot 2830. A wing nut 284s is screwed on the threaded end of said bolt 282-0 for pressing the member 2160 against the controlling link 2420 so as to hold the controlling arm 2440 at a predetermined angle relative to the controlling link 2420, The controlling link 242'c is provided with a bore 246c for pivotal engagement with the connecting link and is further provided with a bore 24Uc'for pivotal engagement with the support. As will be readily understood, the adjustable controlling member 2380 shown in Fig, 9 permits a still greater variety of adjustments of the distance between the bore 246a and the roller 2660.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair illustrated by Figs. 10-12, the back-rest 328 and seat 333 are pivoted to the support 324 at 332. Again, a connecting link 234 arranged on each side of the chair is pivoted to the backrest 328 at 336. Each connecting link 334 is pivoted at 343 to a controllin unit generally indicated by 339. The controlling unit 339 swingably mounted on the support 324 comprises the following members: a transverse rod 340; swingably arranged in the support 324 in a manner to be described hereinafter, two controlling links 342, one on each side of the chair, and each of them rigidly connected with the transverse rod 343 at its lower end, and a controlling arm 344, rigidly connected with said transverse rod 343 and provided with a roller 365 As best shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the transverse rod 343 of said controlling unit 339 is rotatably arranged in recesses 383 of the side walls of the support 324. Said recesses 383 are open at the top and the transverse rod 34lis held in its position by means of safety members 338 attached to the side walls of the support 324 by screws. Thus, the controlling unit 339. may be readily mounted on the support 324- by inserting the transverse rod 34ll of said controlling unit from above into the recesses 3$5 open at the top, whereupon the. safety members 3.38- are attached to the support 324 for holding the controlling unit inits place. When the members of the chair are mounted on the support, the roller 38.6, is in loose engagement with the lower surface of the seat 330.

The chair shown in Fig. 10 is equipped. with a leg-rest 390 swingably mounted on the seat 33.3 at 392-. Said leg-rest 39.3, hasv an extension 334 pivotally; connected. at 3-95; with one end of a corn trolling bar 398, the-other end of which ispivote'd to the controlling link- 342. at 330 When the back-rest 328i is. swung about its pivot 332 into itsreclined position the controlling unit 339 connected with the back-rest through the connecting links 334 is swung about its, pivot 340, whereby the seat 333 is lifted by means of the roller 363v rolling along the surface of the seat. Furthermore, said swinging movement of the controllingunit 3.33 causes a swinging movement of the leg-rest 393 about the pivot 3:92 by means of: the. controlling bar 338, connected with 7 .the controlling link 342 and the extension 394 of the leg-rest 398.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair shown in full lines is limited by the upper edge of the support 324 contacting the seat 338. The extreme reclined position of the movable members of the chair shown in dash and dot lines is limited by the stop 358 contacting the back-rest. A collapsing of the mechanism 328, 334, 339 when the seat 338 is in the sitting position is prevented by an engagement of the legrest 398 with the front wall of the support 324.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 352.

Fig. 13 illustrates a different embodiment of a controlling unit 33911 which may be used in the chair shown in Figs. 10 and 11 instead of the controlling unit 339. According to Fig. 13 the controlling unit 339d comprises a U-shaped member 341d. The base of said U-shaped member 34501 forms a transverse rod 348d for swingable mounting in the support, and the two arms of said U shaped member 34ld form the controlling links 342d for pivotal connection with the connecting link. Two arms 344d are rigidly secured to the base of the U-shaped member 34ld. Each arm carries a roller 366d for engagement with the seat.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Fig. 14, the back-rest 428 and the seat 438 are pivoted to the support 424 at 432. On each side of the chair the rear end of a connecting link 434 is pivoted to the back-rest 428 at 435. Each connecting link 434 is pivotally connected at 446 with a controlling member 438 arranged on each side of the chair. The controlling members 438 carrying a roller 486 at their controlling arm 444 for loose engagement with the seat 438 are swingably mounted on the support 424 at 448.

A leg-rest 498 is swingably mounted on the seat 438 at 492. The back-rest 428 has an extension 482 in the center of the chair. One end of a controlling bar 484 is pivotally connected with said extension 482 of the back-rest 428 at 483, and the other end of said controlling bar 484 is pivoted to a lug of the leg-rest 498 at 485. The controlling bar 484 may pass through a slot 48l in the front wall of the support 424. (Fig. 11 illustrates a similar slot 38l of the support 324.)

When the back-rest 428 is swung about its pivot 432 into a reclined position, the seat 433 is lifted by the rollers 466 of the controlling members 438 connected with the back-rest 428 by the connecting link 434. At the same time, the legrest 498 is swung about its pivot 492 by means of the controlling bar 484 connected with the extension 482 of the back-rest 428.

The sitting position of the members of the chair shown in full lines is limited by an abutment of the seat 438 against the upper edge of the support 424, and the extreme reclined posi tion of the members of the chair shown in dash and dot lines is limited by the stop 458 cooperating with the back-rest.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by the locking device 452.

A stop 468 is mounted on the support 424 in such a manner, that the controlling member 438 abuts against said stop when the seat 433 is in the sitting position, whereby an undesired collapsing of the mechanism '428, 434, 438 is eliminated.

Fig. 15 illustrates a diiferent embodiment of a reclining chair, wherein again the back-rest 528 and the seat 538 are pivoted to the support 524 at 532, andwherein again, on each side of the chair, the rear end of the connecting link 534 is pivoted to the back-rest 528 at 536. Furthermore, again, a controlling member 538 comprising a controlling link 542 and a controlling arm 544 rigidly connected with each other is swingably mounted at 548 on each side of the chair. Said controlling arm 544, however, is not in slidable engagement with the seat, but one end of a controlling rod 586 is pivoted at 588 to the arm 544 of the controlling member 538 at a point spaced from'the pivotal connection 546 between the guiding link 542 of the controlling member 538 and the connecting link 534, and the other end of said controlling rod 586 is pivoted at 5! to a lug 5I2 mounted on the seat 538.

The seat 538 is held in the full line sitting position by abutment against the upper edge of the support 524. When the back-rest 528 is swung from the full line sitting position about its pivot 532 into a reclined position, for example the extreme reclined position 528' shown in dash and dot lines and limited by the stop 558, the controlling members 538 connected with the'backrest by the connecting links 534 are swung into the'position 533', whereby the controlling arms 544 of said controlling members 538 lift the seat into the position 538 by means of the controlling rods 586 connecting the controlling arms 544 with the seat. When the seat is returned from the reclined position 538 into the sitting position 538, the back-rest is automatically moved from the reclined position 528' into the sitting position 528 by means of the mechanism 586, 538, 534.

Owing to the connection of the controlling member 538 with the seat 538 by means of the controlling rod 586, the mechanism 528, 534, 538 cannot collapse when the seat 538 is held in the sitting position by means of the upper edge of the support 524.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 552.

According to Fig. 16 the back-rest 628 is pivvoted to the support 624 at 632. The seat 638 is pivoted to the support 624 at 633 at a point spaced from the pivot 632 of the back-rest. Each of the controlling members 638 swingably mounted at 648 on each side of the chair comprises a controlling link 642 and a controlling arm 644 integral with each other. The controlling arm 644 is pivoted at 688 to one end of a controlling rod 686, the other end of which is pivoted to the seat 638 at 618. The upper end of the controlling link 642 is pivoted at 646 to the front end of the connecting link 634, the other end of which is pivoted at 636 to the back-rest 628.

A leg-rest 698 swingably mounted on the seat 638 at 692 is pivotedat 635 to one end of a controlling bar 684. The other end of said controlling bar 684 is pivoted at 6l3 to one end of an adjusting element or bar 621 (see Figs. 16 and 22), the other end of which is swingably mounted on the controlling arm 644 at 622. A stop 623 secured to the controlling arm 644 by screws is arranged for engagement with the swingable adjusting bar 62 I, so as to hold same in alignment with the controlling arm 644 as shown in full lines in Fig. 16.

When the back-rest 628 is swung about its pivot 632 into the extreme reclined position 628' shown in dash and dot lines and limited by the stop 9, 650., above described mechanisms cause a movement of the other movable members of the chair into the positions likewise shown in dash and dot lines, i. e. the seat and leg-rest are brought into the position 630' and 690'.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 652.

As mentioned above, the adjusting bar '62! is swingable about the pivot 622. If the back-rest and seat are held in a predetermined position, for example the sitting position shown in full lines in Fig. 16, by means of the locking device 652, the leg-rest 696 may be swung by hand about its pivot 692 into the position 890", wherein the controllin bar and the adjusting bar are in the positions 594" and Y621 in alignment with each other. Now, when a slight pressure is exerted on the leg-rest, for example by the legs of the occupant resting in the chair, the controlling bar and the adjusting bar are moved slightly beyond said straight line, until a stop 625 secured to the adjusting bar 62! by screws abuts against the controlling bar, whereby said elements are locked and held in a predetermined position relative to each other.

According to the embodiment of a chair shown in Figs. 1'? and 18, the back-rest 728 is pivoted to the support 124 .at 132. The rear end of the seat 1.39 held in its sitting position by the upper edge of the support 12% is pivoted to the latter at 733 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 132 between the back-rest 728 and the support 24. The support 124 is provided with recesses I86 open at the top for receiving the transverse rod T of .a controlling unit generally indicated by 739.. Said controlling unit I39 thus swingably mounted in the .recesses 586 of the support I24 comprises a controlling link M2 on each side of the chair rigidly secured to said i transverse rod TM. Furthermore, said controlling unit 139 includes two controlling arms 144 rigidly secured to said transverse rod Mil. Each of said controlling arms i t i'is pivoted at 108 to one end of a controlling rod 766, the other end of which is pivoted at H0 to the seat 39. The upper end of each controlling link M2 of the controlling unit I39 is pivoted at MS to the front end of the'connecting link 134, the rear end of which is pivoted to the back-rest 723 at I36.

The leg-rest lSll swingably mounted on the seat 730 at I92 is pivoted at 705 to one end of a controlling bar "HM, the other end of which is pivoted at 103 to, an extension H32 of the back-rest I283. The controlling bar H14 may pass through a slot FBI in the front wall of the casing-like support I24. I

The sitting position of the movable members is shown in full lines, and the extreme reclined position limited by the stop 150 is shown in dash and dot lines. The movable members of'the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device E52.

Fig. 19 illustrates a-different embodiment of a controlling unit which may be substituted for the controlling unit Z39 of the chair shown in Figs. 1'7 and 18. According to Fig. 19 the controlling unit 'IEte is composed of three members ll le, ll 5e, lite rigidly connected with each other by means of rivets lite. The members H4e, 115e, llfie are arranged and shaped in such a manner, that they form two controlling links for pivotalconnection with the connecting links and two controlling arms for pivotal connection with the controlling rods.

' trolling arm 944 at BIS.

Fig. 20 illustrates a further embodiment of a controlling unit'which could be used in the mechanism of the chair shown in Figs. 17 and 18. According to Fig. 20, the controlling unit 139) is composed of two members H4 and 116 rigidly connected with each other by means of rivets HB Said members are arranged and shaped in such a manner, that they form two controlling links and a single controlling arm. Of course, when the controllin unit 139 is used, the seat is controlled by a single controlling rod pivotally connected with said single controlling arm and the seat. V

Fig. 21 illustrates a different embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention. The back-rest 828 and the seat '83!) are pivoted to the support 825 at 832; On each side of the chair, a controlling link 842 is secured to a transverse rod 849 rotatably mounted in the support 824. One end of a controlling arm 8M arranged in the center of the chair is rigidly secured to said transverse rod 843 for simultaneous movements with said controlling links 842. One end of a controlling rod 806 is pivoted to said controlling arm 84 at 802, the other end of said con-' trolling rod 886 is pivoted to the seat 330 at 8.10. The upper end of each controlling link 84.2 is pivoted to a connecting link 834 at 846. The other end of each connecting link 834 is pivoted to the back-rest 826 at 835.

.A leg-rest see swingably mounted at 892 on the seat 858 is pivotally connected at 805 with one end of a controlling bar 884. The other end of said controlling bar 804 is pivoted at 819 to an extension .820 of the controlling arm 8%. Thus, the controlling arm 844 controls the movements of the seat 839 by means of the controlling rod 825 and further controls the movements of the leg-rest 899 by means of the extension 82d and controlling bar 824. The controlling bar tea may pass through a slot in the front wall of the support 824. The controlling links 822, the transverse rod 840, and the controlling arm 844 rigidly connected with each other form a controlling unit 839 swingably mounted on the support 824.

The sitting position of the movable members is shown in full lines, and the extreme reclined position of the movable members limited by the stop 856 is shown in dash and dot lines. The

movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 852.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Fig. 23, the back-rest 928 is pivoted to the support 924 at 932. The rear portion of the seat 938 is pivoted to the support at 933 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 932 between the back-rest 928 and the support 92-2. Each of the two controlling membore 938 pivoted at 948 to the support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 932 between the back-rest 928 and the support 924 comprises a controlling link 9 32 and a controlling arm 944 integral with each other. The controlling arm 94-4 is pivoted at 908 to one end of a controlling rod 905, the other end of which is pivoted to the seat 938 at 9H3. The upper end of the control ling link 922 is pivoted at 946 to the front end of the connecting link 934, the other end of which is pivoted at 93% to the back-rest 928.

A leg-rest 990 is swingably mounted on the seat 939 at 992. One end of a first controlling bar 92? is pivoted to an extension 920 .of the con- The other end of said first controlling bar is pivoted to one end of a second controlling bar 929 at 93 l. The other end of said second controlling bar 929 is pivoted to the seat 939 at the pivot point 892 between the seat and the leg-rest. The second controlling bar 929 is provided with a controlling surface 935 of cam-like shape (see Figs. 23 and 24) Said controlling surface 935 is arranged for loose contact with the leg-rest 998, which may be held against said controlling surface by means of a spring (not shown). When the leg-rest is in contact with said controlling cam surface 935, the movements of the leg-rest are controlled by the con-- trolling link 9-42 through the medium of the controlling arm 9%, the controlling bar mechanism 921, 929, and the controlling surface 935. Thus, when the back-rest 928 is swung about its pivot 932, the back-rest and the seat maybe swung into the reclined position 923', 939, and the leg rest will be brought into the position 999', shown in dash and dot lines.

The sitting position shown in full lines is limited by the upper edge of the support 924, and the extreme reclined position shown in dash and dot lines is limited by the stop 958 of the support.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 952.

If desired, the leg-rest 998 may be moved independently of the second controlling bar 929 relative to the seat 53%, as the leg-rest 998 is in loose engagement with the controlling surface 935. For example, the leg-rest 9953 may be brought into the position 999", while the other members of the chair remain in the position shown in full lines. The leg-rest may be held in said position 999 by means of a holding device, generally indicated by 9l. As best shown in Figs. 24 and 25, said holding device 941 comprises a rod 949 swingably mounted on the legrest 999 at 95L Said rod 9&9 is slidably engaged with a clamping sleeve 953 having bores 955 in engagement with a screw-threaded bolt 95?. A square portion 959 of said bolt 95! resting with its head 98! against the surface of a lug 963 mounted on the seat 835 is engaged with a corresponding square aperture of said lug 9S3, whereby the bolt 95! is prevented from rotation when an adjusting knob 965 screwed on the threaded end of said bolt is turned. When the adjusting knob 965 is justing knob 965, the clamping sleeve 953 is r tightened on the rod 949 for holding same and the leg-rest in its position. When the movable members of the chair are brought from the sitting position into a reclined position, the legrest will remain in the adjusted position (for example the position 999") relative to the seat, until the controlling cam 935 of the second con, trolling bar 929 abuts against the leg-rest. If the movement of the movable members of the chair shall be continued, the adjusting knob 985 should be loosened, so that the controlling cam 935 now abutting against the leg-rest may swing same about its pivot 992 during a further movement of the movable members of the chair.

Fig. 26 illustrates a different embodiment of a control of the leg-rest 999, which may be substituted for the leg-rest control shown in Figs. 23 and 24. According to Fig. 26, the first controlling bar 92'! pivoted at GM to the second controlling bar 929 is provided with a cam-like controlling surface 951 in loose contact with the leg-rest pivoted to the seat, 930 at 992 for controlling the movements of the leg-rest. Of course, the leg-rest 99!! may be disengaged from said controlling surface 951 and may be held in any desired position relative to the seat 930 by the holding device 94-1.

It is understood, that certain parts, elements, or mechanisms shown in a certain figure, may be substituted for corresponding parts, elements, or mechanisms of the embodiments shown in other figures of the drawings.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration, and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion, and arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those, herein shown and described may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It is further understood, that the invention may be applied to other types of articles of furniture than the reclining chairs shown in the drawings; for example, the invention may be applied to garden chairs, lounges, chairs for use in airplanes or railroads, etc.

What I claim is:

l. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling link, said controlling link being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the backrest and the support and extending upwardly from its pivotal connection with said support, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to the upper end of said controlling link, a controlling arm extending forwardly, the rear end of said controlling arm being fixedly connected with said controlling link, and means positioned between the front end of said controlling arm and said seat to effect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling arm.

2. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling member, said controlling member being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and extending upwardly from its pivotal connection with said support, and a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to the upper end of said controlling member, said controlling member having a forward extension, and means positioned between the forward extension of said controlling member and said seat to effect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling member.

3. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling link, said controlling link being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from 13 the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and extending upwardly from its pivotal. connection with said support, a connecting. link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said backrest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to the upper end of said controlling link, a controlling arm extending forwardly, the rear end of said controlling arm being swingably connected with said controlling link, adjustingimeans associated with said controlling arm for adjusting and holding same in a predetermined position relative to said controlling link, and means positioned between the front end of said con-trolling arm and said seat to effect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling arm.

4. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted onsaid support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being-swingably mounted on said support, a controlling member, said controlling member being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and extending upwardly from its pivotal connection with said support, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest and being pivotedat its front portion to the upper end of said controlling member, said controlling member having a forward extension, and cooperating abutting surfaces arranged on the forward extension of said controlling member and on said seat whereby the movements of the seat are controlled in dependence on movements of the back-rest, said cooperating abutting surfaces being displaceable relative to each other.

5. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted .on said support, .a controlling member, said controlling member being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and extending upwardly from its pivotal connection with the support, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest and being pivoted at its front portion to the upper end of said controlling member, said controlling member having a forward extension, cooperating abutting surfaces arranged on the forward extension of said controlling member and on said seat whereby the movements of the seat are controlled in dependence on movements of the back-rest, said coop erating abutting surfaces being displaceable relative to each other, limiting means arranged on the support for limiting the sitting position of the seat, and cooperating stopping means arranged on one of the elements of the mechanism including the back-rest, the connecting link and the controlling member and on an element adjacent to the element carrying one of said cooperating stopping means so as to prevent the elements of said mechanism from collapsing when the seat is held in its sitting position by said limiting means.

6. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling link, said controlling link being swingably mounted on said support at a point sp,aced- .from said pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and extending upwardly from its pivotal connection with said support, a connecting link, said connecting link bei ivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to the upper end of said-icontrolling link, a controlling arm extending .forwardly, the rear end portion of said controlling arm being fixedly connected with said controlling link, and cooperating abutting surfaces arranged respectively on the forward end portion of said controlling arm and on said seat whereby the movements of the seat are controlled in dependence on movements of the back-rest, said cooperating abutting surfaces being displaceable relative to each other.

7. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling link, said controlling link being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and extending upwardly from its pivotal connection with said support, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to the upper end of said controlling link, :a controlling arm extending =forwardly, the rear end portion of said controlling:

armbeing fixedly connected with said controlling link, cooperating abutting surfaces arranged on the forward end of said controlling arm and on said seat whereby the movements of the seat are controlled in dependence on movements of. the

back rest, said cooperating abutting surfaces being displaceablerelative to each other, and means whereby the effective length of said controlling arm may be varied and adjusted. I

8. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling link, said controlling link being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and extending upwardly from its pivotal connection with said support, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above-the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to the upper end of said controlling link, a controlling arm extending forwardly, the rear end portion of said controlling arm being swingably connected with said controlling link, adjusting means associated with said controlling arm for adjusting and holding same in a predetermined position relative to said controlling link, and cooperating abutting surfaces arranged cn the forward end of said controlling arm and on said seat whereby the movements of the seat are controlled in dependence on movements of the back-rest, said cooperating abutting surfaces being displaceable relative to each other.

9. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling link, said controlling link being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and extending upwardly from its pivotal connection with said support, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest and being pivoted at its front portion to the upper end of said controlling link, a controlling arm extending forwardly, the rear end portion of said controlling arm being fixedly connected with said controlling link, and a roller rotatably arranged on the forward end of said controlling arm for cooperating engagement with said seat whereby the movements of the seat are controlled in dependence on movements of the back-rest.

10. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, a bracket attached to said seat, said means positioned between the front end of said controlling arm and said seat including a roller mounted on the front end of said controlling arm, and said roller being shiftably engaged with said bracket.

11. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 5, said cooperating stopping means being arranged on said controlling member and on said seat.

12. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, limiting means arranged on the support for limiting the sitting position of the seat, and a bracket attached to said seat, said means positioned between the front end of said controlling arm and said seat including a roller mounted on the front end of said controlling arm, said roller being shiftably engaged with said bracket, and a portion of said bracket being arranged as stopping means for cooperation with said roller so as to prevent the elements of the mechanism including the controlling member, the back-rest and the connecting link from collapsing when the seat is held in its sitting position by said limiting means.

13. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said controlling arm being fixedly connected with said controlling link at an intermediate point of the latter.

14. In an article of furniture as claimed in claiml, said means positioned between the front end of said controlling arm and said seat including a controlling rod, one end portion of said controlling rod being pivoted to said controlling arm, the other end portion of said controlling rod being pivoted to said seat so as to effect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling arm.

15. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 2, said means positioned between the forward extension of said controlling member and said seat including a controlling rod, one end portion of said controlling rod being pivoted to said controlling member, the other end portion of said controlling rod being pivoted to said seat so as to effect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling member.

16. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said means positioned between the front end of said controlling arm and said seat including a controlling rod, one end portion of said controlling rod being pivoted to said controlling arm, the other end portion of said controlling rod being pivoted to said seat so as to efiect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling arm, an extension rigidly connected with said controlling arm, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat, and a controlling bar pivoted at one of its ends to said extension and at its other end to said leg-rest.

ANTON LORENZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 516,110 Pynchon Mar. 6, 1894 847,880 Barker et al Mar. 19, 1907 1,028,548 Cromer June 4, 1912 1,846,797 Decker Feb. 23, 1932 2,136,852 Knauth Nov. 15, 1938 

